Tips for Presenting at the Entrepreneur Showcase
IMPORTANT NOTE: The entrepreneurs/presenters are precluded, by the SEC, from formally soliciting funds from a diverse public audience of the kind gathering on September 22nd. Presenters should NOT give anyspecifics of the investment terms: is it debt, subordinated debt, preferred stock, common stock, partnership interests? What are the financial returns? Such specifics must be left for individual discussions after they present if people are interested.
Thank you for agreeing for your interest in presenting at the Greater Boston Slow Money Entrepreneur Showcase!
It is critical for the success of the Entrepreneur Showcase that we adhere strictly to our format: six slides in five minutes minutes. Julia Shanks will be the MC of the showcase and we’ll be keeping the program tightly on schedule. It’s VERY IMPORTANT that you realistically time your remarks to five minutes. Do not try to say too much - this is a common entrepreneurial error. It is much more important that you only give attendees a general feel for the stage of your business and a glimpse of who you are as an entrepreneur. You will have the rest of the event to network. There will also be some tables to put out collateral materials. Space will be "communal," so be conscientious about what you put out. Think: handouts/brochures vs. displays.
We'll be assembling all the slides in advance. Your presentation should be a maximum of six slides (one slide with your company’s logo and five slides of your choosing). We need your slides byMonday, September 19, 2011.
As to your presentation content, here is what we suggest: 45 seconds on how you came to the venture (when it was founded, why); 1 - 2 minutes on current status of business (revenues or general revenue range, products, locations, market niche/competitive advantage); 1 - 2 minute on social or environmental impact (particular need that your business is addressing, potential for your company to play a leadership role with respect to organics and local food systems), and last 45 seconds on financing needs or lessons (how have you raised money in the past, future needs).
Presenters are expected to pay $25. In a traditional "venture fair," fees for presenting entrepreneurs would be much higher. Of course, this is not a traditional venture fair. But we are confident that you will get plenty of value out of the event. We are sure you understand that from Slow Money's perspective it is important that events such as this have a sustainable business model. Each small revenue stream matters.
Thank you and we look forward to learning more about your business!
The Greater Boston Slow Money Team